Empty the Bench

Red Hot Chili Peppers Bassist Flea Photo Credit: Icon SMI

- We owe you an apology. Last season, ETB made it our sworn duty to provide occasional highlights from the gripping NBA blog penned by Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist and avid LA Lakers fan Flea. Regrettably, we have allowed this noble cause to fall by the wayside, thinking he had abandoned his scholarly pursuits that get to the heart of what drives his fandom.

But he’s back. And he’s better than ever. And all is right in the world once more.

- A big ol’ gaggle of NBA bloggers are into Round 6 of Hardwood Paroxysm’s Blogger MVP/ROY Rankings, which employ a “complicated system involving pulleys, levers, and the cult classic film I’m Gonna Git You, Sucka!” to settle upon its current leaders. As we head deep into the bowels of February, LeBron James gets the nod over Chris Paul for MVP, while Kevin Durant edges Alfred Horford for Rookie of the Year. Durant certainly has “All-Star” written all over that lithe frame of his, but I’m hoping Mr. Horford (9.2 points, 9.8 boards, 1 block) turns it up these next few months and gets serious consideration for the award.

- Just in time for Toronto Raptors’ rookie Jamario Moon’s formal introduction to the global NBA audience this weekend (he’ll participate in the Rookie Challenge on Friday and Slam-Dunk Contest on Saturday), the good folks at RaptorsHQ have launched a spin-off they’ve appropriately named Jamario-Moon HQ. Check it out to “discuss the upcoming All-Star weekend, the dunk contest, and all things Jamario Moon.”

More news and views from NBA blogs big and small after the jump…

- Detroit News columnist Chris McCoskey echoes what many NBA observers have been talking about lately: the Charlotte Bobcats have quit on first-year coach Sam Vincent. McCoskey doesn’t fault Vincent for all of the ‘Cats troubles, however: “The blame is on Michael Jordan and the ownership group. They tried to hire a coach on the cheap. That they only gave Vincent a two-year deal is absurd. He was a lame-duck right from the start. Is it safe to say that as a team-builder, MJ was a great, great player? He ruined Washington, in case anybody forgot, and now he’s making a mess in Charlotte.”

- Sactown Royalty’s Tom Ziller checks in with his very first Mythbusters: Sactown column, which seeks to dismiss claims that Kevin Martin is not “clutch.” Yes, Mr. Ziller, we’re convinced.

- For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, Le Basketbawl noticed that Shaquille O’Neal’s new uniform for the Phoenix Suns is on sale; no word on whether it’ll be available in sizes other than XXXXXXXXXL.

- Speaking of O’Neal (“Shaq” retired 2 years ago), David Larzelere for The Sporting Blog lists his top ten true centers of all-time and how many times each was traded during their career.

- Milwaukee Bucks’ forward Charlie Villanueva, who was on somewhat of a tear before spraining his ankle last night in averaging 15.4 points, 7.4 boards, and 47.6% FG over his previous five games, weighs in on a typical (?) road game in Hollywood against the Los Angeles Lakers (third header down). High-end tailors on call in the hotel lobby to fulfill those last-minute, custom-made suit needs, a Dave Chapelle sighting, and dinner at Mr. Chow’s, who serve what Villanueva deems “a bit overpriced, but still slamming superb cuisine.”

- HoopsAddict’s Gustavo Cardoso searches for signs of basketball life in the Pirituba neighborhood of São Paulo, Brazil, where Phoenix Suns blur Leandro Barbosa honed his talents.

- Finally, the esteemed Andrew Thell of the most underrated sports blog on the Web, Empty the Bench, checks in on Latrell Spreewell in this NBA Blog Watch Exclusive:

“There’s irony, and then there’s this. Succulent, delicious, satisfying poetic justice. Latrell Sprewell, the player who famously turned down a $21 million contract offer from Minnesota by saying, ‘I’ve got my family to feed’ has fallen on hard times. They’re foreclosing on his home and they even auctioned off his pride and joy, Spree’s 70-foot yacht, Milwaukee’s Best (classy).

Apparently he went on one too many… spending sprees (Yes!).

And before you suggest that we’re some kind of monsters for laughing at the man’s misfortune, recall that this is the guy who famously choked his coach in practice and dragged his girlfriend down the stairs by her hair. Also, that contract was clearly more than generous given Sprewell’s age and declining skill set. No other GM in the league even saw it fit to offer a contract of any variety, and Spree never played again. He saved McHale from his own incompetence by turning down what would have been yet another egregious error. He had this coming on a number of levels.”

Possibly Related Content:

1. NBA Picks and Rolls: To the Moon


2. NBA Blog Watch: Let’s Make a Deal, MVP Predictions, and Effusive “Love” for Q-Rich


3. Here’s Your Chance to Buy Sprewell’s House


4. Reading is Great! Monday’s NBA Rumors, Breaking News, and Blog Links


5. 2009-10 NBA Season Blog Preview Series: Eastern Conference – Central Division